FGF21/GLP-1 receptor (dual)

Class

Dual FGF21/GLP-1 receptor agonist

FGF21/GLP-1 receptor dual agonists combine two distinct hormonal signals into a single molecule to address metabolic disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an intestinal hormone that binds a receptor found on pancreatic beta cells, in the brain, and in the gut; activating it enhances insulin release in response to meals, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite, effects widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hormone made mainly by the liver that acts on tissues such as fat and liver to improve how the body handles fats and sugars, increase energy expenditure, and improve insulin sensitivity, without directly affecting appetite through the same central pathways as GLP-1. By engaging both receptor systems, a dual agonist aims to pair appetite and glycemic control with improvements in lipid handling and liver fat content, targets relevant to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease with inflammation and scarring (steatohepatitis). The rationale is that the two pathways act on complementary tissues and processes, potentially producing greater metabolic benefit, or benefit with a more favorable side-effect profile, than either mechanism achieves alone.